ATARAXIA, 15min., USA, Drama
Directed by Haley Seppa
Ataraxia is a film about 32-year-old female-bodied, queer identified photographer, Mickey, who, due to experiences with trauma and rape as a teenager, has built her adult life around making “safe” choices and hiding behind the lens of her camera. Until she meets Olivia, a 30 year old “straight” woman who pushes Mickey’s understanding on what it means to actually live and not just to survive.

http://ataraxiathefilm.com/
https://instagram.com/haleyseppa

Director Statement
The last decade has been particularly hellish for a lot of womxn. From the election of a "pussy grabber," to the #metoo movement, and so much more, many of our issues have been front and center.

But let's be real, these have been issues for ages for so many womxn. So much so, that sometimes we interact with them as second nature. Some of these issues, like the notion of having to be aware of who we are when we inhabit space, particularly at night, have become so ingrained in our every day that they don't even seem unusual anymore.

With the resurgence of bigotry, racism, and sexism in this country, the social gains from civil rights movements, feminist movements, queer movements, and many others, we cannot take the status quo for granted and we need to be constantly telling these stories.

This film confronts the reality of being different, internally and externally, even in a world/environment that most would call “safe.” It is a completely character driven film. It is also an attempt to queer the rules of the process, the crew*, the filming, and the expectations of a “traditional” narrative.

*This film crew was 90% womxn or non-binary and 50% LGBTQIAA identifying. Working with this incredible family of artists was one of the most amazing times of my life.